Basilan newly-assumed Governor Jim Salliman on Wednesday delivered his inaugural address during the maiden session of the 14th Sangguniang Panlalawigan at the provincial Capitol in Isabela City.

“I believe that much has to be done if we want to see better changes in our province. There is much to be done in order to ease the suffering of more than 2,000 families caught in the middle of a war. And there is much to be done in order to help them build back their lives and their livelihood. In like manner, much has to be done if we are to win over extortion groups, drug dealers and drug abuse. There is much to be done if we are to regain the trust and confidence of the business sector to invest and expand their business operations in our province. And there is much to be done if we hope to experience genuine and lasting peace which is framed not only by government leaders and persons in authority, but also with the active participation of the entire constituency. Once achieved, not only will we be able to raise the level of our economy, and the standard of living of our people, but we will also see the development of tourism which I believe is very promising, given the many potential tourist destinations that our province has.”

Salliman stressed the need to address the many problems in the province like family feuds, education, basic social services, communications, environmental protection and preservation and the Cocolisap infestation that has affected some three million coconut trees in the municipalities of Al Barka, Tipo- Tipo, Unkaya Pukan, Lamitan & Isabela City, Sumisip, Mohamad Ajul ,Lantawan and Maluso.

“We will launch the Task Force Cocolisap on Saturday and we will declare a state of calamity on the Cocolisap problem,” Salliman said.

He said that people in Al Barka, Tipo –Tipo and Ungkaya Pukan who fell vicitms to the atrocities perpetrated by lawless groups should be extended assistance. — Allen Abastillas